The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

Gibbo

Roar Rookie

Joined April 2021

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You make a fair point re the countries in almost constant tragedy. I’d argue in response, however, that the above countries that you mention, Afghanistan in particular, are rebuilding. Sport helps in rebuilding. Now, if, God forbid, Afghanistan or Libya or Iraq gets plunged into war again, then a cancellation of sport is entirely warranted. My context was the 9/11 tragedy in the States. It’s a fair comment though.

The Indian Premier League should be cancelled

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Cricket
 
2w

Then why did you comment? If you’ve nothing constructive to add, go comment on someone else’s “rubbish”. 😊

The Indian Premier League should be cancelled

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Cricket
 
2w

Regardless, the BCCI should’ve woken up sooner and have never even played the tournament to begin with. Personal choice or not, there’s a higher moral responsibility, and that’s the crux of the issue.

The Indian Premier League should be cancelled

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Cricket
 
2w

Slater can say whatever he likes when he’s COVID-free, sipping cocktails by the pool in paradise. The PM has made the call, and rightly or wrongly, players and staff have to abide by it. I want to keep this cricket-focused rather than drag personal political preferences into it.

The Indian Premier League should be cancelled

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Cricket
 
2w

Personally, I’ve never liked the IPL from the moment it first began. It’s a waste of time and space in the cricketing calendar. However, I can see its merits in helping cricketers earn more than they would for their international sides. Yes, playing it in India was the wrong call. Played in the UAE or any other country where thousands of people aren’t dying from Covid, then that’s a different story. So, yes, it is more to do with the country than with the actual spectacle itself. It’s just totally insensitive to be doing this when people are dying.

The Indian Premier League should be cancelled

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Cricket
 
2w

Fair enough. I understand where you’re coming from. I did state that I don’t blame players for electing to take up that opportunity. What I object to are the players who travel all over the world to play and miss out on so much cricket for their respective states and yet still get talked about in discussions for Test cricket. I’d much rather them play IPL or BBL but yet still prioritise turning out for their state whenever they can.

The desire to be at home is understandable. Hence why they should play less T20 cricket for other leagues.

How to fix cricket's over-crowded schedule

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Cricket
 
3w

The difference is that the European football leagues thrive on tribalism. Liverpool fans (like myself) hate Man U. Same with Barcelona and Real Madrid. But who do you have in cricket? Mumbai fans hate the Rajasthan Royals? Any franchise based sport is similar. That’s why you can’t wear a South Sydney strip to Bondi without fear of reprisal or a Freo jersey to Perth without the same consequences.

Cricket, by and large, has very little tribalism. The Thunder always enjoys beating the Sixers and the same with the Renegades and the Stars. Neither of those games has the same deep-seated hatred as a Bulldogs-Wests Tigers game, Essendon-North Melbourne or Red Sox-Yankees have. The only thing that might come close is the Ashes or maybe now Australia vs India. The Bledisloe Cup works for the same reason (though, rugby has its own issues). As much as Cricket Australia tries to hype up certain series and certain matches, nothing can ever rival the deep-seated franchise rivalry that exists in football or other franchise-based sports. That’s exactly why I was pushing for the international game to take front and centre because that’s where the tribalism traditionally lies in cricket.

How to fix cricket's over-crowded schedule

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Cricket
 
3w

Naive is perhaps a little harsh? I question whether they “can’t” pay their players enough or whether it’s “won’t” pay their players enough. The last broadcast deal was massive, yet somehow they’re still struggling for money. I would give my right arm and right leg to play for Australia (and be totally useless at cricket with just one arm and one leg) and earn $375k to play for my country. That’s a reasonably healthy paycheque by anyone’s estimation.

I’m simply expecting them to stop being mercenaries and start actually taking pride in representing their state/nation. Outside of international matches, the tribalism has largely been lost (except for in suburban park cricket). NSW vs Victoria was once one of the celebrated Shield matches. So was NSW vs QLD, but nowadays, more players are interested in earning millions or in being rested rather than play for their states. Credit to Hazlewood (and others) for opting out to stay home and play for their state.

Your comment about T20 cricket is extremely valid. However, BBL attendances have been down the past couple of seasons (COVID notwithstanding), and the BBL season is far too long. Slash the BBL in half, for a start, and that would give CA more money to pay their players.

How to fix cricket's over-crowded schedule

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Cricket
 
3w

Yep. Totally agree. I’ve always been a fan of mandating that if you want to play for your country in Tests you should prioritise your country’s four-day competition. If you want to play for your country in ODIs, prioritise that or for T20s, prioritise that.

How to fix cricket's over-crowded schedule

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Cricket
 
3w

Good question. I don’t have the answer for that. Even a base salary of around $500k would help rather than the current $375k. I guess teams schedule more international cricket, which is a moneymaking exercise, and maybe the ICC could foot the bill for the technology? They have enough money now as it is.

I know that for Cricket Australia, England and India generate huge sums of revenue for them when they tour (hence why India seems to tour here every 2 years or so). However, if the ICC can ease some of the financial pressures surrounding the technology (like maybe paying for the DRS in the series), that might help the boards have more in their bottom line. Plus, didn’t Cricket Australia just secure nearly a billion-dollar deal in the last rights period that locked most of the international cricket behind a paywall?

How to fix cricket's over-crowded schedule

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Cricket
 
3w

Never considered this perspective before, Chris. I’ve always tended to side with Katich on this one, but I can totally see your point. Neither’s behaviour is excusable in the situation (though, I do think that Clarke as team captain should’ve probably reacted differently), and it was just a bad situation by all.

Who should be the next captain of the Australian cricket team?

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Cricket
 
4w

Carey’s captaincy of Australia A was diabolical. He barely understood when to change up his bowlers, and his field settings were awful. He was fortunate that Wildermuth and McDermott made tons otherwise it would’ve been a massive win to India.

Who should be the next captain of the Australian cricket team?

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Cricket
 
4w

This was written assuming that Paine retires after the Ashes (which I have a suspicion he might).

Who should be the next captain of the Australian cricket team?

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Cricket
 
4w

I took that tack because that is predominantly what the general public see. I think that captains need respect both on and off the field, something that can only happen with longevity.

I’d like to see Green and Pucovski cement their spots in the side first before captaining. The modern players seem to need a bit of stability before coming in and just occupying the captaincy role, ala Graeme Smith. Of the two, Pucovski might be the only option that could be able to do that based purely on the character he’s shown.

Who should be the next captain of the Australian cricket team?

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Cricket
 
4w

I’ve always believed that he should’ve been dropped for Brisbane and Neser should’ve played. He could have taken more wickets (and possibly made some runs also) than Starc.

Starc's Sheffield Shield flop puts Ashes spot at risk

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Cricket
 
Apr

Thanks for the kind words. Your comment about the Ashes is valid. The percentage comment was simply a follow on from the Richie Benaud quote, but probably mistaken to place a percentage on either, you’re right. My personal preference for captain would be Labuschagne or Cummins, but again, neither has experience. I’ll definitely contribute more. It’s just a matter of how much.

Steve Smith should never captain Australia again

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Cricket
 
Apr

You make a fair comment about Smith having a winning percentage, though I did mention that many of those are because of Smith’s own personal brilliance with the bat rather than due to any great tactical or man-management skills. My main beef with him tactically, and I’d label Paine with this tag as well, is that they were reluctant to go in for the kill when they knew they had their enemy on the ropes. Time and time again this past India series, Australia were on top for Paine to persist with just 2 slips or to throw a fielder out in the deep, or whatever. Clarke at least had a killer instinct.

Steve Smith should never captain Australia again

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Cricket
 
Apr